We get super-excited for the Olympics whenever it comes around, and one of the final moments of excitement before the opening ceremony is the reveal of the U.S. Olympic Team’s uniforms. But this year, one piece of the sartorial puzzle has us scratching our heads, reading up on cultural appropriation and racing to find Jim Carrey GIFs.
Take a look at these gloves.
Where were you when you first saw the US Olympic team uniform gloves pic.twitter.com/YJVPXatFMK
— Kailee Rosen (@kaileerosen) January 23, 2018
More:Cultural appropriation isn’t OK… not even when celebrities do it
Designed by Polo Ralph Lauren, the rest of the outfit is pretty awesome, including the electronically heated parka, beautiful sweater and slim-cut jeans. But then out of nowhere, two gigantic light-brown fringed suede gloves bedecked in Olympic rings and the American flag come into the picture. Some think they’re a nod to the gloves worn by cowboys, while others are pointing out that they seem to be a pretty spot-on rip-off of the buckskin gauntlet gloves worn by certain Native communities in the west.
Interesting. They’re gauntlets. Lotsa Native communities still rock those on the regular. https://t.co/zvBK7DJFJJ
— Adrienne Keene (@NativeApprops) January 23, 2018
There are ways to respectfully honor Indigenous cultures in Olympic regalia and ceremonies. These fringed gauntlets designed by Ralph Lauren and styled “explorer gloves” (just noooo) do not strike me as a good example.
— Dr. Karen James (@kejames) January 23, 2018
Regardless, everyone seems to agree they have no business being part of the rest of the outfit.
You may be asking yourself: Where have I seen these before? Well, Twitter is here to answer your query.
More:20 Olympics-inspired foods that deserve a freaking medal
New USA Olympic gloves look super familiar…. pic.twitter.com/sUVp5UDhKR
— Brett Claussen (@bclaussen9) January 24, 2018
https://twitter.com/theghissilent/status/955653759597658112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Sorry US Olympic team, Lloyd Christmas wore the gloves better pic.twitter.com/ZmjOZ27GkJ
— buck (@DaBuckStopsHurr) January 23, 2018
Of course, some people love the gloves.
I kinda want the Olympic gloves this year……..
— faith⁷ (@monieworld) January 6, 2018
If you love the gloves, you’re in luck — they’re listed as “coming soon” on Ralph Lauren’s website. In the meantime, you can keep your hands warm with a pair of the Team USA Ceremony Mittens — if you’re willing to drop $135 on them, that is.
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